Brief Update

      We have arrived in Tarutung.  We didn't have internet in Medan, and may only be able to use this connection a couple of times a week (I have to share: )! )  The flights were interesting.  We were 'debugged' on the flight from Taiwan to KL.  The stewardesses came through the cabin spraying for bugs per Malaysian law.  Then from KL to Medan, a white mist that looked like smoke poured from around the overhead bins for the first 10 mins. of the flight.  The 12 passenger from Medan to Silangit was half full and was only bumpy for a few minutes over the mountain range. 
 
     We rode out to the farm today after arriving at 11.  I took a couple of pics of the cows - they look really good.  We walked around the property and discussed some ideas.  I will write more about that next time.

    One thing I did find out was the 'primitive' bathroom facilities.  It is slightly better than a bucket and curtain.  The room consists of a cement box that is slowly filled with water as the day progresses.  The toilet is only the bottom part, no seat or lid, no tank to hold water, no way to flush.  You use a scoop to get water out of the cement box to wash down the waste.  We did purchase a seat and Steve installed it first thing.  We also purchased a 'hot water on demand' style water heater and pump and will install it tomorrow so that there is hot water for a shower.  Shower logistics are still in question so I will have to explain that after we figure out what we are going to do.

    I am sorry if this sounds disjointed, but I am so tired I can't think very well.  We didn't sleep much on the plane and only got about 6 hrs. last night.  Thank you all for continueing to uphold us in prayer.

Arrival

(B here, posting for my Mom)

  I just received word that my parents have safely arrived at their destination!  They do not, however, have internet service so Mom will be unable to post updates.  I am still holding out hope that they will be able to e-mail updates through "R"......... He had been able to keep in e-mail contact with them when they were stateside. I will post updates as I get them. Thank you so much for your prayers!!!

 

From Taiwan

Thought you would be excited to hear we made it through the first long leg of the journey.  We have a 3+ hr. wait in Taipei and I found a wi-fi spot, so thought I would update briefly.  We got to the Dallas airport early to check in and the American Airlines personnel that helped us felt we would not have enough time in San Francisco to catch our flight overseas, so she rushed us through and put us on an earlier flight, leaving in less than 30 mins.  We had planned on having dinner at the Dallas airport, but that went by the wayside : )  We made it to our terminal fine - just didn't sit together on the plane.  Normally, this would have stressed me out ALOT and I was starting to feel 'anxious'.  I only had time to text my daughter asking her to pray with me, which she did, and I calmed down immediately.  Actually had an enjoyable flight!  We arrived in San Francisco with over 3 hrs. to wait.  The odd thing that happened was that the American Airlines personnel didn't book us or our luggage through to KL, only to Taipei.  We were going to have to pick up our baggage, re-check-in for the flight to KL, and go through security again.  As soon as possible, in San Francisco, we found the EVA airline counter and booked our luggage and us to KL.  That helped the 'anxiety' level immensely.  Upon arrival in Taipei, we did have to go through 'transfer' security, but that was basically a formality.  So here we are waiting for our next flight.  It is 7 am here and 3 pm Pacific time.  Our flight was long, and we didn't get much sleep, but the airline company was great.  They have to be the best we have ever been on (in all our many travels : )!)   Extremely friendly and helpful (and they fed us twice for free!).  We even got paper slippers to keep for our very own : )  Steve is currently walking around the airport looking for a coffee or soda.  I should probably go find him!   Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers. 

Last post this side of the big pond!

We leave today for Indonesia.  We know we are doing what He wants of us, but there is still some anxiety.  Thoughts of  kids, farm, health, etc... all try to undermine our purpose and vision for the next 3 weeks.  We are not sure how much time will actually be spent at the farm.  We have learned that we fly into a town called Silangit, which is about an hour drive from Tarutung (where the farm is).  That is where the nursing school is and where we will be staying each night (there are no buildings, as yet, at the farm).  I am praying that the road to Tarutung isn't the uphill, winding one I found on the internet last week.  I had better take a lot of dramamine for Steve just in case! 
We have been told that the bathroom facilities at the house we will be staying in are 'interesting'.  'R' didn't want to spoil the surprise(!), but reminded us it is 'very 3rd world'.  I just hope it isn't a bucket behind a curtain!  Two people I recently told thought it might be a hole in the ground : (  A bucket and curtain sounds primitive enough, thank you!  He said the 'shower' is someone pouring a bucket of cold water over you as you scrub.  Hmmm...not my idea of a good time.  I am extremely modest and will have to 'shower' in my clothes.  Oh well, I can wash my clothes and take a shower at the same time :-)  The man who owns the house is not charging us rent after all, so 'R' is hoping we can improve the water/bathroom situation while there, as a 'thank you' for letting us stay.  We were given some money as a donation for our trip and are planning on using that to help with the update.  We will be purchasing the needed items in Medan before heading to Tarutung, so that may be the first thing we do when we get there!!

This is a picture of a Texas Longhorn taken at the convention we were at this week.  His name was Hank.  I am pretty sure his kind won't be where we are going : )  Just wanted to leave you with one more picture in case I can't post any while I am gone.

Once again, thank you so much for your interest in our trip.  I am hoping I can update every day or two.  As I mentioned before, if I can't myself, I will email my daughter who will post to here.  I am going to try a pic. or two, but no promises as to if or quality.  To all our kids and grandkids and various extended family - we love you all and will miss you greatly. 

Return flights

 I don't have a flight time for our flights from Tarutung to Medan and Medan to Kuala Lumpur, but expect they will be the afternoon of Dec. 1st, Pacific Time.  The following times are in Pacific Time.
Dec. 1st  leave   Kuala Lumpur  11:25 pm
Dec. 2nd arrive  Taipei                4:00 am
               leave   Taipei                7:00 am
               arrive  Seattle               5:25 pm
               leave   Seattle               8:00 pm
               arrive  Portland             8:50 pm

Thank you all for upholding us in prayer.  We appreciate it more than you will ever know! 

Dallas

The first leg of our journey is underway. We arrived safely in Dallas after an 'exciting' Saturday. Jordan, our 12 year old, fell off our straw pile and landed on his head. Thankfully, Josh was with him. He called an ambulance, then kept Jordan stable until help arrived. Interestingly, he also called Steve to tell him to wait for the ambulance and to show them where to find him - but he didn't call me. I found out because I called Steve just to chat and he told me he was waiting for the ambulance. I haven't figured out if I should be hurt or mad :( so I decided to be neither :) I rode in the ambulance with Jordan, and after a ct scan and some poking and prodding, they let him go home. He has a pretty good sized goose egg on his forehead and some scrapes on his face, but that's all. God is Amazingly Gracious!!

We received all the 'material' that 'R' wanted us to bring, so have some very full suitcases. This prevents me from buying trinkets for the kids and grandkids while in TX! We are awaiting word as to how to go through customs with all our 'extras'. Our son and daughter-in-law are in Texas at the same conference and have agreed to take back with them the clothes we won't be needing overseas. This should free up some much-needed room. Maybe I will find some good stuff in Indonesia to bring back!

I still am not sure if I will be taking my laptop overseas, so don't know if I will be updating this or if my daughter will. 'R' says I can email easily using his computer, so that may be best option. I can't post here using his for security reasons. We will know next week!

Thanks for praying!!

Flights

I am pleased to announce that 'R' has said he will still allow me to come as I assured him I don't care for meat all that much. He said he would even introduce me to some 'family' in the next village. Could be interesting!

I wanted to put our flight schedule out there for anyone who would like to hold us up in prayer. All times are PST (Pacific Standard Time)

We leave Portland, Sun. the 8th, at 5:30 am
" arrive Phoenix at 7:57 am
" leave Phoenix at 8:55 am
" arrive Dallas at 11:19 am

We are attending the National Milk Marketing Federation Annual meeting before heading to Indonesia.

We leave Dallas, Fri., the 13th, at 7:20 pm
" arrive San Francisco, " " " " 11:00 pm
" leave " " Sat., " 14th " 12:25 am
" arrive Taipei " " " " 2:40 pm
" leave " " " " " 5:40 "
" arrive Kuala Lumpur, " " " " 10:25 "
" leave " " Sun., " 15th at 1:35 am
" arrive Medan, " " " " 2:25 am


The time there will be 5:25 pm. 'R' is supposed to meet us in Medan. We will stay overnight in a hotel, then fly to Tarutung in the morning. He is making the arrangements for this so I don 't have any details. He thought we would leave about 9 am for the 55 min. flight. That would put it at about 6 pm on the 15th PST. This is the 12 passenger puddle-jumper that I am not impressed with taking so prayer then would be GREATLY appreciated!

The time difference is 15 hrs ahead of PST. As you can see, we will undoubtedly arrive sleep deprived if we can't get some sleep on the plane. This makes me cranky!! : ) I will post our return flight info. before leaving Dallas in case I can't get online while overseas.

We thank everyone for their encouragement and prayers and hope that you feel as blessed as we do by your involvement in our 'adventure'.

Distrubing News

Well, 'R' wrote back with some interesting and some disturbing facts about Tarutung. About 120 years ago some German missionaries successfully reached the Batak people (the people group around Tarutung). Not that long ago it was considered 100% reached. It is now 70-80% reached because of the building up of Islamic influences.


Tarutung is 4-5000 feet above sea level (not the 3300 I mentioned in the last post). It has less than 50,000 people (49,999?) : ) It is about 1 1/2 hours from the ocean.


The main landmark is Lake Toba, the largest volcanic lake on earth. As I mentioned in an earlier post, Tarutung is southwest of Lake Toba. The area is extremely poor, hence the need for new business and industry to provide jobs. Most locals that get an education, go to the big city to get a job or start a business, and don't come back - unless it is for a visit to show family how 'successful' they are. 'R' and his helpers want to show that it doesn't have to be this way.



Indonesia comprises over 17,500 islands. It is the 4th most populous country with over 230 million! It contains the largest population of Muslims.


Now, the disturbing news. 20 years before the German missionaries had success, another German missionary arrived in Tarutung. The area is made up of mainly 3 family groups - Tobin, Hutabarat and one other that he couldn't remember. The Tobin family were head hunters and ate the German missionary. Yep, you read right! A family of meat-eaters! (A side note for those who don't know - my maiden name was Tobin). I have asked if I am still welcome and am awaiting a reply. Will let you know the outcome : )

Tarutung

I have been scouring the internet for info. on Tarutung, but to no avail. I did find someones blog entry of a trip to Sumatra and his day around Tarutung. It even had a couple of pics.! I don't know the proper etiquette for this, but this is a pic. Chris took on his way into Tarutung.


The road up the mountain to Tarutung. Good thing Steve has something for motion sickness - I think he may need it!
This looks like it will be a very interesting place to visit! All roads lead out? :-)

As far as I can tell, Tarutung apppears to be about 3300 feet above sea level and is less than 3 miles from a volcano (that, thankfully, hasn't erupted in a while!). I will keep looking for info. and have asked 'R' if he knows anything of interest to add. I will pass along anything he mentions.

Beginnings...slightly edited

Remembering where we are headed, we decided I should begin being careful with what I write, just in case. Therefore, I have changed a few words :-)

2-3 years ago a friend of our sons, who is a missionary in Nepal, gave our email address to a friend of hers in Indonesia. He was wanting to begin some agricultural outreach work on the island of Sumatra, but wanted some 'professional' guidance. He contacted us and we have been exchanging emails and following his 'adventures' ever since. We met him in 2008 when he was home on a short furlough. In the course of the last few months, he was able to purchase some land and buy some cows. Then the call for help came. He asked us if we would consider coming down to help him with pasture layout,fencing, water, building site, etc.... Unexpectedly, Steve felt we should go. We reminded Him of a few obstacles (kids, lack of money, Steve's mother's health), but He reminded us that He takes care of His own. We have had a peace about going, in spite of the uncertainties.
One thing we are excited about is where we will be staying. 'R' has rented a house on the campus of a nursing school. Some students come over each evening to 'practice' English. We can talk about anything. Last month, a visiting German held a meeting with over 100 nursing students attending. 20 lives were changed! 'R' has asked us to bring over some study material for them. Steve is hoping for an opportunity to teach. Please pray with us that He would find us usable in whatever way possible. 12 days and counting!!!